JPH10261060A - Contactless ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely show the end of communication processing of contactless IC card by providing a liquid crystal display(LCD) cell to be flickered at the end of processing by data communication. SOLUTION: An LCD cell 29 is provided on the surface of the contactless IC card 10. As such an LCD cell 29, a miniaturized cell of several mm square is used and in this case, two LCD cells 29 are provided on the surface of contactless IC card 10. Then, a liquid crystal driver 27 is added on a circuit board inside the contactless IC card 10, the liquid crystal driver 27 is connected to a microcomputer 25 or power supply circuit 23 connected through a transmission/reception circuit 21 to an antenna coil 15, and this liquid crystal driver 27 is connected to the LCD cell 29 provided on the surface of contactless IC card 10. When processing is completed, a control signal is outputted from the microcomputer 25 to the liquid crystal driver 27, and two LCD cells are flickered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card, and more particularly to a non-contact type contactless IC card for exchanging data between an IC card and a host computer by using inductive coupling by a coil. is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, instead of magnetic cards for storing a part of data of a computer, IC cards having a large data storage capacity have been widely used. There are two types of IC cards: those that provide data communication by contacting with a reader / writer by providing a contact, and those that enable data communication in a non-contact state by using electromagnetic induction of a coil. .

[0003] Today, contact-type IC cards have a reduced thickness.
It has already been standardized so as to be 0.76 mm, width 54 mm and length 85 mm.
A non-volatile memory capable of writing and erasing data such as OM and a small CPU are incorporated, and power, data, and control codes are input from a reader / writer through four to eight contacts provided on the back of the card. Also, data is read via this contact.

A non-contact type IC card has a diameter of 3 cm.
Today, various shapes are used, such as a disk shape having a thickness of several mm, a thickness of several mm, and a rectangular shape having a thickness of several mm, each piece being about 4-5 cm. . As shown in FIG. 4, this non-contact type IC card (hereinafter simply referred to as a contactless IC card) has a small size inside a main body in which a resin upper case 11 and a lower case 13 are welded and sealed by ultrasonic welding or the like. A microcomputer 25 combining a CPU and a non-volatile memory, and a circuit board 17 on which a transmitting / receiving circuit and a power supply circuit are attached are fixed, and a multiply-wound antenna coil 15 is arranged around the circuit board 17. .

The contactless IC card 10
When the sensor is brought close to the antenna part of the reader / writer, a signal is received by the antenna coil 15 in the contactless IC card 10 and data is rewritten or stored by the operation of the microcomputer 25. As shown in FIG. 5, the data transmission / reception uses the reader / writer 30 having the antenna unit 35, the transmission / reception circuit 33, the communication control computer 31, and the communication interface 37. This is performed by connecting the computer 41 and the communication control computer 31.

The communication control computer 31 and the main body computer 41 cooperate to communicate with the contactless IC card 10.
Is for outputting a signal of a predetermined frequency from the antenna unit 35 when the operation state is set. When the contactless IC card 10 is brought close to the antenna unit 35 of the reader / writer 30, an induced voltage is generated in the antenna coil 15 by an electromagnetic field formed by the antenna unit 35, and the power supply circuit 23
The DC power supply voltage of the specified voltage is formed by this.

For this reason, the DC power supply voltage formed by the power supply circuit 23 includes the operating voltage of the CPU, which is the operating voltage of the microcomputer 25, and the EE, which is a non-volatile memory.
By securing the operating voltage of the PROM or the like, the microcomputer 25 can perform a predetermined operation based on the signal tuned and demodulated by the transmission / reception circuit 21. Also, transmission of necessary data and status can be transmitted from the antenna coil 15 via the transmission / reception circuit 21.

Thus, the contactless IC card 10
Is placed in the communication area of the reader / writer 30, a DC power supply voltage is output from the power supply circuit 23 by the energy of the electromagnetic wave supplied via the antenna coil 15, and the operation of the microcomputer 25 is, for example, shown in FIG. As shown in (1), when a power supply voltage for operation is supplied from the power supply circuit 23, first, an initialization process (S101) is performed.
After transmitting the output of the ID (S102), the signal is received (S103). When the signal is input, the communication error is determined (S104). If a communication error is determined by this communication error determination, the ID output, signal reception, and error determination are repeated. When the communication is normally performed, the command is analyzed. For example, it is determined whether or not the command is a read command (S110). If the command is a read command, data is transmitted (S111).
If the command is not a read command, it is determined whether or not the command is a write command or an erase command (S115). Judgment (S
116), and if the write voltage is secured, processing such as writing of received data or erasing of predetermined data together with the command is executed (S117).

At the time of transmitting the data (S111), a predetermined status is also transmitted together with the data (S120), and when a process such as writing (S117) is performed, the predetermined status is also set at the end of the process. Is transmitted (S120). The command is not limited to a read command, a write command, an erase command, or the like, and a command for performing a predetermined operation according to a use purpose of the contactless IC card 10 is previously stored in the microcontroller of the contactless IC card 10. It is registered on computer 25.

The operations of the main computer 41 and the communication control computer 31 are, for example, as shown in FIG.
The communication control computer 31 controls signal reception (S201). When the signal is received, the main computer 41 determines whether the received signal is an ID registered in the main computer 41 (S202). If the ID is a registered ID, the ID is first stored in the communication control computer 31 (S205). And
The main body computer 41 identifies the contactless IC card 10 based on the ID, and outputs a predetermined command to the reader / writer 30. The communication control computer 31 transmits the command together with the ID (S207), and again. Reception control is performed (S201), and it is determined whether or not the received signal includes the stored ID (S210).
41 is for analyzing the status (S211).
Further, a communication error is determined (S213) together with a determination as to whether or not the data is appropriate. If a communication error occurs, the main computer 41 transmits the command again (S213).
207), and if there is no communication error, the main computer 41 executes predetermined processing (S215), determines whether or not all processing has been completed (S216). The command necessary for the subsequent processing is transmitted (S207) by the main computer 41 and the communication control computer 31, and the necessary subsequent processing is continued. When all the processing is completed, the command is stored in the communication control computer 31. This deletes the ID (S220) and terminates communication with the specified contactless IC card 10.

As described above, when a signal is first received, I
By storing D, the contactless IC card 10 that performs data communication with the main computer 41 is specified, and a predetermined command is transmitted in accordance with the function of the contactless IC card 10 by this ID to perform data communication. Thing. The transmission of the command is not limited to the case of transmitting only the command, but the necessary data is transmitted together with the command as appropriate.

As described above, the contactless IC card 10
Communication between the main body computer 41 and the
It is possible only by bringing the card 10 close to the antenna unit 35 of the reader / writer 30. At present, a communication distance of about 10 cm between the antenna unit 35 and the contactless IC card 10 is often used, and within the communication area. A plurality of contactless IC cards 10 are prevented from being present as much as possible.

However, in order to facilitate the use of the contactless IC card 10, it may be necessary to widen the communication area.
As a result of the spread of 10, a plurality of contactless IC cards 10 may be present in the communication area. Therefore, as described above, the contactless IC card for performing data communication with the main computer 41 or the communication control computer 31 is provided.
The ID of the contactless IC card 10 having this ID is stored and stored, and after the data communication with the contactless IC card 10 having this ID is performed, the ID of the other contactless IC card 10 is stored and a command output or the like is performed to specify the ID. Contactless I
Processing with the C card 10 can be performed reliably.

When transmitting the command, the main body computer 41 and the communication control computer 31 transmit an ID code stored together with the command, and the contactless IC card 10 transmits a signal including its own ID code. When receiving a contactless IC card,
Even when 10 exists in the communication area, each contactless IC card 10 ensures that only its own data processing is performed. Further, by shifting the timing of communication, the processing in the main computer 41 is also ensured.

Therefore, even when a plurality of contactless IC cards 10 are simultaneously presented in the communication area of the reader / writer 30, the main computer 41 must sequentially communicate with a specific contactless IC card 10 correctly. It is designed to reliably execute various processes. Further, when predetermined processing by communication with the specific contactless IC card 10 is completed in the main computer 41 or the reader / writer 30, the end of the processing is displayed as necessary, and a sound or buzzer is output. The end of the processing may be notified by a sound or the like.

[0016]

As described above, when the contactless IC card is brought close to the antenna portion of the reader / writer and predetermined data communication is performed and necessary processing is completed, the main body computer or the reader / writer is used. The end of the processing is notified by displaying or sounding.

However, when a plurality of contactless IC cards are inserted into the communication area, it cannot be clearly distinguished which contactless IC card has been processed, and confusion may occur. The contactless IC card utilizes an electromotive force induced in the antenna coil, and boosts a voltage generated by the electromotive force with a power supply circuit to form a predetermined DC voltage. The current value, that is, the output power, is extremely small, and the circuits incorporated in the contactless IC card are limited to those with low power consumption.

Therefore, in order to provide a display means for displaying the operation of the contactless IC card in the contactless IC card, it is necessary to incorporate a power source such as a battery. However, incorporating a battery has disadvantages such as making it difficult to reduce the size of the contactless IC card, and requiring troublesome inspection of the life of the battery.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a contactless IC card in which a power supply voltage is formed by radio waves received by an antenna coil, provided with a liquid crystal display cell which blinks at the end of processing by data communication. As described above, when the liquid crystal display cell is provided on the contactless IC card, the contactless IC card after the processing can be clearly shown by blinking the liquid crystal display cell.

The power consumption of the liquid crystal display cell can be extremely reduced, and the liquid crystal display cell can be easily turned on by incorporating a booster circuit. Further, the present invention provides a contactless IC card having two small liquid crystal display cells, wherein one small liquid crystal display cell is turned on when data communication is started, and two small liquid crystal display cells are turned on at the end of processing by data communication. It may be a small liquid crystal display cell that blinks alternately.

As described above, when two small liquid crystal display cells are provided and one is a liquid crystal display cell which is turned on when data communication is started, data communication is performed when the contactless IC card is brought close to the reader / writer. You can easily know that it has started. Further, if a small liquid crystal display cell is used in which two small liquid crystal display cells alternately flash at the end of processing, the end of processing can be clearly notified even with a small liquid crystal display cell.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Contactless IC according to the present invention
In the embodiment of the card, a liquid crystal display cell 29 is provided on the surface of the contactless IC card 10 as shown in FIG. As the liquid crystal display cell 29, a small cell of about several mm square is used, and in the present embodiment, two liquid crystal display cells 29 are provided on the surface of the contactless IC card 10.

Then, a liquid crystal driver 27 is added to the circuit board 17 in the contactless IC card 10, and a microcomputer 25 and a power supply connected to the antenna coil 15 via the transmission / reception circuit 21 as shown in FIG. A liquid crystal driver 27 is connected to the circuit 23, and the liquid crystal driver 27 is connected to a liquid crystal display cell 29 provided on the surface of the contactless IC card 10.

The microcomputer 25 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM and a small CP as in the prior art.
U and can hold and store data even when the power supply voltage is 0. Also, a booster circuit is incorporated in the liquid crystal driver 27, and the output voltage of the power supply circuit 23 adjusted to the operating voltage of the CPU and the nonvolatile memory is used.
It is assumed that the voltage can be raised to the required operating voltage of the liquid crystal display cell 29.

The contactless IC card 10
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the power supply circuit 23 operates and a predetermined DC power supply voltage is secured, and when the power supply circuit 23 outputs an operation power supply voltage, the microcomputer 25 starts operating, and It is the same as the conventional method that the ID processing is performed (S101), the ID is output and transmitted (S102), the signal is received (S103), and the communication error is determined (S104).

Then, when a command for the contactless IC card 10 is received without a communication error, an operation signal is output to the liquid crystal driver 27 to turn on one liquid crystal display cell 29 (S105), and the read is performed. Data transmission based on the command determination (S110) (S11)
1) or judgment of a write command or the like (S11)
According to 5), voltage inspection (S116) and execution of write processing and the like (S117) are performed, and the status is transmitted (S12).
0) is performed, it is determined whether or not the processing is completed (S125).
The microcomputer 25 outputs a control signal from the microcomputer 25 to blink the two liquid crystal display cells 29 (S126).

It is to be noted that whether or not the processing has been completed is determined by a termination command from the main computer 41 or by a state where no processing command is received within a predetermined time. There are cases.
As described above, the contactless IC card 10 that turns on the liquid crystal display cell 29 when a predetermined command is received after transmitting the ID moves the contactless IC card 10 close to the antenna section 35 of the reader / writer 30. At a glance, it can be understood at a glance that the communication with the main body computer 41, that is, the processing has been started, by exchanging into the communication area, and the processing of the contactless IC card 10 is completed by the blinking of the liquid crystal display cell 29. You can clearly know what you have done.

By providing a mirror plate on the back surface of the liquid crystal display cell 29, the difference in brightness between the bright state in the light-transmitting state and the dark state in the light-shielding state is extinguished. Large and small surface area liquid crystal display cell 29
Even in this case, the lighting state and the blinking state can be clearly notified. Since the liquid crystal display cell 29 controls light transmission and light blocking by controlling the applied voltage, the power consumption is extremely reduced, and the liquid crystal display cell 29 can be easily turned on by the power induced in the antenna coil 15.

The contactless IC card 10 has a small amount of communication data and a small amount of processing, and can complete processing in a relatively short time.
Then, the lighting control of the liquid crystal display cell 29 at the start of the processing (S1
05) may be omitted, and control (S126) of blinking the liquid crystal display cell 29 when the process is completed may be sufficient. In this case, it is not necessary to access the memory upon completion of the processing, and the power output from the power supply circuit 23 is supplied to the CPU of the microcomputer 25 and the liquid crystal driver 27.
And the blinking control of the liquid crystal display cell 29 can be reliably performed by the weak power supplied to the antenna coil 15.

Further, a latch element for storing a control signal is incorporated in the liquid crystal driver 27, and the control signal output from the microcomputer 25 is stored in the liquid crystal driver 27.
Also stops the operation, reducing the load on the power supply circuit 23,
While the contactless IC card 10 is placed in the communication area, the blinking of the liquid crystal display cell 29 can be reliably maintained.

Also, at the end of the processing, the liquid crystal display cell
When blinking 29, not only the case where two liquid crystal display cells 29 blink alternately, but also the case where one liquid crystal display cell 29 blinks. It may be performed alternately. As described above, when the liquid crystal display cell 29 is turned on and off, even if the liquid crystal display cell 29 has a small area, the lighting can be easily seen.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contactless IC card in which a power supply voltage is formed by a radio wave received by an antenna coil, a contactless IC provided with a liquid crystal display cell which blinks at the end of processing by data communication. Card. Therefore, the blinking of the liquid crystal display cell makes it possible to reliably know that the communication processing of the contactless IC card has been completed.

Further, the invention described in claim 2 has two small liquid crystal display cells, and one small liquid crystal display cell is turned on when data communication is started, and is turned off when processing by data communication is completed. A contactless IC card with small liquid crystal display cells that alternately flash. Therefore,
When the contactless IC card is brought close to the reader / writer, the start of data communication can be known, and the end of processing can be known clearly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a contactless IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit block of the contactless IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a microcomputer in the contactless IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a structural example of a contactless IC card.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit block of a conventional contactless IC card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a microcomputer in a conventional contactless IC card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation instruction control example of a contactless IC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Contactless IC card 11 Upper case 13 Lower case 15 Antenna coil 17 Circuit board 21 Transmission / reception circuit 23 Power supply circuit 25 Microcomputer 27 Liquid crystal driver 29 Liquid crystal display cell 30 Reader / writer 31 Communication control computer 33 Transmission / reception circuit 35 Antenna part 37 Communication interface 41 Main computer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A contactless IC card for forming an operating power supply voltage by a radio wave received by an antenna coil, comprising a liquid crystal display cell which blinks at the end of processing by data communication.
card. 2. A small liquid crystal display cell having two small liquid crystal display cells. One small liquid crystal display cell is turned on when data communication is started, and the two small liquid crystal display cells are turned on and off alternately when processing by data communication is completed. 2. The contactless IC card according to claim 1, wherein the contactless IC card is a small liquid crystal display cell.